Despite facing elimination in tonight's Game 4 of the World Series, there were originally no alterations planned for the Detroit Tigers starting lineup.  However, Tigers catcher Alex Avila was taken out of the batting order after fouling a pitch off his wrist during Saturday's Game 3 loss. 

According to the Detroit Free Press, Detroit skipper Jim Leyland spoke about Avila's limitations for Sunday night's elimination game.

"I could run him in there to catch if I had to.  I don't know about pinch-hitting.  The trainer told me it was best not to go with him," he said.

Detroit will be facing Giants' ace right-hander Matt Cain, who will look to lead San Francisco to their second World Series title in three years (2010).  Aside from scratching Avila from the backstop for Gerald Laird, Leyland will stay committed to his usual lineup he sports against righties. 

Since the start of the Fall Classic, the Tigers have only crossed the plate three times through the first three games of the series.  The team has also been shut out in two straight games. 

Two of their three runs came on a two-run homer by Jhonny Peralta in the ninth inning of Game 1.  Overall in the series, Detroit is hitting a dismal .165 and is only 1-for-11 in the clutch with runners in scoring position.

Of the 23 teams that have been down 3 games to zero in World Series history, twenty of them have been swept.  Detroit will look to avoid that unideal fate and continue extend the series to Game 5 with the cards clearly stacked against them.   

CLICK HERE to watch the San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the World Series via free live stream.  Coverage will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT. 

View the starting lineups below.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

1.        Angel Pagan, CF

2.       Marco Scutaro, 2B

3.       Pablo Sandoval, 3B

4.       Buster Posey, C

5.       Hunter Pence, RF

6.       Brandon Belt, 1B

7.       Gregor Blanco, LF

8.       Ryan Theriot, DH

9.       Brandon Crawford, SS

SP:     Matt Cain, SP

DETROIT TIGERS

1.       Austin Jackson, CF

2.       Quintin Berry, LF

3.       Miguel Cabrera, 3B

4.       Prince Fielder, 1B

5.       Delmon Young, DH

6.       Andy Dirks, RF

7.       Jhonny Peralta, SS

8.       Omar Infante, 2B

9.       Gerald Laird, C

SP:     Max Scherzer

Tags: mlb